Irving Park
Links of Interest
Distance to Downtown Chicago
8 miles
Average Drive Times
17 minutes to Chicago Loop
20 minutes to O’Hare Airport
28 minutes to Midway Airport
A north side community area with beautiful homes and a rich history, Irving Park offers residents a great medium between city and suburban. Irving Park, located only seven miles northwest of the Loop, is a family-oriented neighborhood with its own active commercial district. Irving Park real estate includes a great variety of housing options, including two and three flat condos, frame houses, and bungalows. Much of the area’s unique architecture, ranging from Victorian to Queen Anne to Italianate, has survived since the late 19th century. Spectacular mansions, huge lawns, and tree-lined streets make Irving Park an ideal place to call home.
Irvington, as the neighborhood used to be called, was originally designed as a farming town. However, the land’s proximity to the Chicago & North Western railroad convinced the founders that it would be more profitable as a settlement. Homes upon homes were built and the population of Irving Park grew as people flocked to this commuter suburb, attracted by the easy access to downtown, the potential to own a larger home, and the “shady streets, fine schools, churches, and stores.&rdquo Today Irving Park is a peaceful but exciting residential community packed with culture, restaurants, businesses, stores, and plenty of green space.
In the early 1900’s, Irving Park residents established their own park district and created eight local parks. Independence Park is the largest and hosts the town’s annual 4th of July celebration which consists of a parade, concerts, athletic competitions, and fireworks. Other notable parks in Irving Park include Horner Park and California Park, both of which provide space for all types of sports, classes, and other recreational activities. California Park is also home to McFetridge Sports Center, the Chicago Park District’s only indoor hockey and tennis facility.
Irving Park’s dining selections illustrate its historically diverse culture created by immigrants from all over the world, most notably from Germany, Sweden, Poland, Russia, and, more recently, Latin America and Asia. For an authentic German experience with traditional food, music, and beer, try the Mirabell Restaurant and Lounge. If it’s a mixture of Chilean, Mexican, and Cuban you’re looking for, then check out the Latin Sandwich Café. Arun’s Thai is a five star restaurant that offers customers a unique and tasty presentation of Thai food albeit at a hefty price. For some traditional American BBQ try Smoque.
There are many families with young children in the area and the schools such as Belding Elementary School and Irving Park Middle School are continuing to improve. Irving Park’s public transportation system is exceptional as well. There are a number of CTA bus routes that serve the area as well as the Blue Line of the “El” train, with a stop at the intersection of Irving Park and Pulaski that connects riders to the Loop at one end and O’Hare Airport at the other.
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